deyv4e

[deyv4e]

Temporary Space: My Weekly Journal

Hello, I'm Danish, a Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) student currently working on a writing project assessment. For the time being, this is where I’ll be sharing my weekly reflections as part of the project. It’s a short-term journal, but while I’m here, I plan to capture my thoughts and experiences each week.

Though my stay is temporary, I hope this space gives insight into my writing process and perspective. Thanks for stopping by!

#weekly journal #writingproject #writingassessment #TESL

[deyv4e]

Weekly Journal 3: The Last Year of Primary School

Year: 2018

My last year of primary school was unforgettable. It wasn’t just about preparing for Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR)—the big exam that would decide a lot for us—it was also about the friendships and memories we made, knowing that this was our final year together. For me, it was even more meaningful because after this, all my friends were heading off to boarding school, and I would be the one staying behind.

Throughout the year, UPSR was always on our minds. We spent hours studying in class, and for me, the school day didn’t really end with the bell. I had tuition every night on weekdays, where we went over our lessons again and again, trying to make sure we were ready. Tuition was tough sometimes, especially after a long day at school, but it was also where I could laugh and relax with my friends.

We weren’t just any students—we were some of the top scorers in our subjects. I was the best at math in our group, while others excelled in science, Malay Language, and English Language. We’d sit around the same table every night, helping each other with the subjects we found difficult. It felt like we were all lifting each other up, making sure we’d succeed together.

And then, after tuition, came the best part: going home. Every week, like clockwork, my friends and I would enjoy burgers, chocolate, and ice cream. It was something we all looked forward to—our parents paid, so it felt like a treat we didn’t have to think twice about. We’d laugh and enjoy our food, a little reward after all the studying. Those nights made everything feel lighter, like all the pressure from UPSR didn’t matter for a while.

When the results finally came out, it was a mix of emotions for me. I got 4As, 1B, and 1C. The B and C were both in English, which is quite shocking. Meanwhile, all three of my friends scored 5As. I was happy for them, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit left out, knowing I hadn’t matched their achievement. It was tough, but I reminded myself that I had done my best.

Looking back, that last year was filled with ups and downs, but it was also one of the best years of my life. UPSR was hard, and saying goodbye to my friends was even harder. But I’m grateful for every moment we spent together, both in school, in those late-night tuition classes, and the weekly treats we shared after.

Personally after 2018, life hasn't felt the same. It feels like everything has been going downhill since then. I've talked with my parents about it, and they always tell me that things will get better eventually. I want to believe them, and for now, I still hold on to that hope.

#weekly journal

[deyv4e]

Weekly Journal 2: Hari Raya in Kelantan

Date: 8th April to 14th April 2024

Day 1: The Long Journey Home

The 13-hour drive to Kelantan is tiring, but the excitement of heading home makes it bearable. We arrive at my grandmother’s house, where the smell of food and the warmth of family welcomes us. We rest, knowing the preparations start tomorrow.

Day 2: Last-Minute Shopping and Cooking

In the morning, we visit Pasar Wakaf Che Yeh to buy some final ingredients. The market is full of people, and we gather what we need for the big celebration. At home, everyone helps in the kitchen, preparing dishes like rendang and nasi dagang. The day is filled with family and tradition.

Day 3: Hari Raya – A Day of Celebration

We begin the special day with prayers, then ask for forgiveness from each other. Afterward, we enjoy a big meal together and start visiting relatives. We give eid money to the younger ones and enjoy time with family, celebrating togetherness.

Day 4: Visiting Friends and Neighbors

On the second day of Raya, we visit friends, neighbors, and distant relatives. Everyone opens their doors, offering food, drinks and of course, duit raya. The spirit of sharing and welcoming others makes this day memorable, bringing the community closer.

Day 5: Slowing Down

By the fifth day, things start to calm down. We still visit some relatives, but it’s more relaxed. It’s nice to have soothing times and long chats with family members, enjoying the completion of the celebrations.

Day 6: Back to Routine

Life starts to return to normal. Some go back to work, but the festive feeling is still there. We still have a few guests visiting, whom we welcome as warmly as those on the first day. We also continue to enjoy the last of the Raya treats.

Day 7: Reflecting on the Week

As the celebrations come to a close, we take time to reflect on the past week. Hari Raya has brought us closer, reminding us the importance of family, forgiveness, and unity. After a final round of goodbyes, we pack up and begin our drive back home. This time the journey takes about 8 to 9 hours, thanks to fewer cars on the road. Though it's still a long drive, the lighter traffic makes it more manageable. By the time we reach home, we feel very grateful for the bonds we've strengthened and the time we've spent with loved ones.

#weekly journal

[deyv4e]

Weekly Journal 1: Learning Day Reflection

Learning Day : October 5, 2024

It's been a while since the last time I accompanied my mom shopping at the wet market and helped her cook for lunch. Yeah, I know, these are basic life skills but I've always avoided them. My mom often asks for my help but I somehow managed to come up with an excuse to not do them. But today, I figured it was time for a change.

What I learned:

Wet markets are way more intense than supermarkets. There's so much going on with people haggling, vendors shouting, and stalls packed with everything from fresh fish to veggies. The goods here are fresher and less expensive compared to supermarkets, which is very good. My mom taught me how to buy fresh fish; apparently, you're supposed to look for clear eyes and shiny scales?

When we got home, we cooked lunch together. She taught me on how to prepare the fish and clean it properly. We made a simple stir-fry with fresh veggies and fish we picked up. I handled the veggies while she worked on the sauce, and then we put it all together in the wok. The fish was tender, and the veggies were flawlessly crunchy. I told her, "Hmm, I might actually pursue a career as a chef at this point", which amused her.

What made me happy:

Spending time with mom was fun, and the whole process felt less like a chore and more like a bonding moment. Plus, the food turned out excellent, which makes our effort completely worth it!

Challenges:

Navigating the wet market still feels chaotic to me; there's so much going on and I'm not used to it yet. Also, cleaning the fish is a bit gross at first. But once I got into it, I felt rather proud. Cooking it was also tricky, but with a little help from my mom, the fish turned out great.

Looking forward to:

I'm excited to keep learning from mom, both about cooking and how to handle myself at the wet market. Maybe next time she will teach me how to cook something more challenging, like one of her signature dishes, perchance? Either way, I'm enjoying the process!